Tongs



t Nov. 147,192.5!

502 4224/55@ JW/M,

1,561,963 E.- C. WILSO N TONGS` Filed Sept. 12. 1921 i Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES ELIHU CLEMENT WILSON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

' ToNGs.

Application led September 12, 1921. Serial No. 500,177.

Be it known that I` ELiHU CLmirEN'r IVIL- sox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles. in the county of Los Angeles and State of California., have invented new and useful Improvements in Tongs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has to do with tongs of the general type known as casing tongs and such as are used in handling well casing and the like. An object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is strong and effective and at the same time simple, quick andv convenient to manipulate and certain of action.

Casing tongs are necessarily Vlarge and heavy and in practice are used frequently during the drilling of wells. Tongs now commonly used are more or less ungainly and ditiicult to n'ianipulate. because, among other things, of their unbalanced construction and their inconvenient manner of being arranged or set in operative position on the pipe.

Casing and pipe tongs have heretofore been latched with a pin or with a sort of hook arrangement. The pin type is cumbersomc and diflicult to operate; the hook type is very liable to unfasten if the tongs are loosened about the pipe. The salient feature of this invention is the use of a spring latch that cannot unfastcn under any circumstances until positively released. Much time thus saved lin an art wheretime 'is of the highest import-ance. Furthermore, the hook type of latch has necessitated a certain amount of looseness of the pipe cncircling parts'` which looseness must be taken up by the lever action before actual pipe turning begins. I explain hereinafter how my device obviates this disadvantage.

A distinctive feature of this invention, in its more specific form, is the provision of tongs which are balanced in arrangement and construction so that they can be easily handled and so that they can be easily and quickly arranged on or removedfrom a casing. The tongs provided by the invention Y an be opened so that they are in perfect bal- L) ance and therefore can be easily handled.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a device of the character specified which can be very easily and conveniently set and released. Toset the device it is merely necessary to move two small parts and Cal mechanism 11.

to release the device it is merely necessary to actuate a simple catch, or latching member, and move said two parts. The device saves much time thus facilitating fast and economical drilling which is particularly desirable in view of the expense involved in well drilling.

Another feature of great advantage is that the tongs when latched about a casing cannot become unlatched or detached accidently or until the operator actually positively releases the latch. This feature eliminates the danger of the tongs becoming de tached and thrown in a manner to endanger or injure workmen as ordinary' tongs frequently do. I

The various objects and features of the invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description-of a typical embodiment of the invention throughout which reference is had to thel accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan elevation of the tongs; Fig. 2 is a 'side elevation thereof being a view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the tongs being a view taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a view similar to a portion 'of Fig. 1 being a view illustrating the manner in which the tongs may be opened for the purpose of being placed on or removed from a casing.

In the drawings numeral designates the lever of the tongs at the inner end of which is carried the casing engaging or gripping As far as the present invention is concerned lever 10 may be formed and constructed in any manner suitable to a device of this general character. For instance, as I have illustrated in the drawings,

it may be a solid continuous member taper-- ing somewhat toward its outer end, and formed at its outer end with an eye 12. For purpose of convenience in handling, eyebolts 13 may be arranged to extend from opposite sides of the handle at the center Aof gravity of the entire device. The length, design, and proportions of the handle 10 will, of course, vary considerably depending upon conditions of manufacture and use.

The casing engaging mechanism l1 comprises, in the specific form here described, two oppositely disposed inner links 14 and 15, two oppositely disposed outer links 16 and 17, and a suitable catch mechanism 18.

.- of the arms 19 may be such, although not The inner end portion of the link 14 is bifurcated so that it has two arms 19 between which the lever 10 is received. In ordinary practice this construction is more desirable than providing prongs or projections on the lever to receive the two arms. A pin pivotally connects the arms 19 with the lever l0 at a point near its inner end. It is preferred that the inner portion of the link 15 be bifurcated in a manner similar to that in which the link 14 is bifurcated so that it has arms 21 between which the handle 10 is received. A pin 22, similar to the pin 20, pivotally connects the arms 21 with the handle 10 at a point inward of that at which the pin 2O connects the arms 19 to the handle, or at a point closer to the inner end of the lever than the point at which the pin 2O connects the arms 19 to the lever. The spacing of the points of pivotal connection between the handle and the arms.19 and the arms 21 may of course, vary considerably and in practice will depend upon the general design and proportloning of the entire device. The part of the link 14 which connects or extends between the inner ends necessarily so, as to engage the lever 10 to limit the swinging movement of the link 14. In the particular form of ,the invention shown in the drawings the links 14 and 15 have only a comparatively small swinging movement. qIn the case of the link 15 the connecting part 26 between the inner ends of the arms 21 may also be adapted to engage the arm 10 to limit the swinging movement of the,link so that it also will have a comparatively. small swinging movement. Fig. 4 of the drawings illustrates the manner inwhich the connecting parts 25 and 26 engage the handle to limit the outward swinging movements of the links 14 and 15,

-respectively. It will be understood, of

course, that the invention may be carried out in a construction which allows the links 14 and 15 considerably more swinging movement than is possible in the device herein set forth.

The inner end portion of the outer link 16 is preferably bifurcated to form arms 30 which receive the outer end part 31 of the link 14. A pin '32 pivotally connects thel arms with the end part 31 inmuch the same manner that the pin 20 connects the arms 19 with the lever 10. It will be noticed from the drawings, however, that the connecting parts of the links 14 and 16 are such as to allow the link -16 considerableswinging movement' relative to the link 14 and so that the link 16 ucan be freely swung betweenthe positions shown in Figs. 1 and v 4. The outer link 17, like lthe link 16, preferably has its inner end portion bifurcated yto form arms 33 which receive the outer end portion of the link 15, and a pin 35 lpi'votally connects the arms 33 with the end portion 34. Thef connecting. parts of the links 15 and 17 are such as to allow the link 17 considerable swinging movement relative to the link 15 and allow the link.17 to be freely swung between the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 5. From inspection of the drawings, and particularly of Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the inner surfaces 38 of the several links are of the same curva-ture and are concentric with each other when the outer ends of the links 16 and 17 are together as illustrated in Fig. 1. In practice the opening A encircled by the linkswhen they are in operative position, as shown in Fig. 1,- is substantially circular and issulliciently large to receive the particular casing on which the device is to be used. In practice the inner surfaces 38 of the links may be of suitable extent and may be suitably constructed or formed to properly grip a casing or the like when the device is operated as hereinafter described.

It will be apparent that the links, instead of being four 1n number might be two or three in number or might be more than four in number. It is preferred, however, to use four links, as shown in the drawings, as four links grip a case more effectively than a less number and substantially as well as a greater number. i-

The catch mechanism 18, whichforms a part of the casing engaging mechanism 11, is adapted to'connect the outer ends of the links 16 and 17 inthe closed or operative position as shown in Fig. 1. The particular mechanism shown in the drawings comprises a latch 40 mounted on a pin 41 carried by lugs 42 extending from the end portion of the link 16; and projections 43 extending from the end portion of the link 17 to be engaged by the head or heads 40a of the latch 40. A suitable spring 45 is arranged in connection with the latch 40 to move it toward and normally yieldingly hold it in its position where it will engage and cooperate with the projections 43. Then the latch 40 is in complete engagement with the projections 43, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the links 16 and 17 are positively secured or locked together. When the links are swung together from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 1, the catch mechanism automatically operates to connect them and hold them together until released by the operator. To release the links 16 and 17 so thatthev can be swung apart to the positions such as shown in Fig. 4 it is merely necessary to swing the latch 40 outwardly in the direction indicated by 'the arrow in Fig. 1, until it is out of engagement with the projections 48. The particular latch mechanism just described is set forth in detail and is claimed in my co-pending application entitled Well elevator filed April 20th, 1920, Ser. No. 375,332. It will' be understood, of course, that the present invention is not limited to the specific details of this particular type of latch or catch mechanism and that I have set forth this particular latch mechanism merely to typify or illustrate a typical means such as may be used in the carrying out of the present invention.

In operation the links of the casing eugaging mechanism 11 are opened or swung out to positions such as are illustrated in Fig. 4 to permit of a casing. or the. like. entering between them. Then the casing is inplace between the links, as indicated by the dotted lines C in Fig. 4, the links are swung inwardly to encircle it. or, until the outer ends of the links 16 and 1T are to gether as shown in Fig. 1. During the in ward movement of the links 16 and 17 the latch 40 is lifted h v the head surface 40. engaging the inclined surfaces 48 ofthe projections 43 so that it snaps intoplace back of, and in engagement with. the projections 4? when the links 1G and 17 reach their inner or operative positions, as shown in Fig. 1. The latch head surfaces 40. that engage the back surfaces 43 of lugs 43, are concentric. with the latch pivot 41; and lug surfaces 48C are also so concentric when the parts are in latching position. Consequently no strainput upon the latch by the tendency of the links to spread can ever cause the latch to release: while at the same time, when the strain is released the latch is very easily manually disconnected. During the closing of the casing gripping mechanism 11 the links 14 and 15 are moved very little While the links 16 and 17 are moved considerably, as from the positions shown in Fig. 4 to those shown in Fig. 1. It is only necessary to swing or move the links 16 and 17 in order to close and lock the casing engaging mechanism 11; the latch closes automatically. The links 1G and 17 are very easily moved or swung mainly because they are comparatively small members and because the pins which connect them to the other parts carry very little weight and are subject to verylittle binding action. For convenience in operation it 'is preferred that suitable handles 50 be provided on the links 16 and 17.

When the casing engaging mechanism 11 has been set on the easing it can be iliade to firmly and solidly grip the casing by moving the lever 10 so that the inner portions of the links 14 and 15 are moved, generally. toward each other. From inspection of Fie'. 1 it will be readily understood how movement of the lever 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow will cause the casing engaging mechanism 11 to grip a casing or like object arranged in it. of my device that this necessary gripping to the lever.

Now it is a feature' movement is very small. Ihave explained how the locking surfaces of the latch are concentric with the latch pivot. It follows therefore that the opposite setsl of links need. be moved inwardly toward each other just far enough to allow the latch head to swing much enhanced.

Then it is desired to release the casing from the casing engaging mechanism 11 it is merely necessary to release the latch mechanism 18 by swinging the latch 40 outvwardly as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1

until it is out of engagement with the projections 43, and then swing the links apart to positions such as are shown in Fig. 4. The latch head 40 forms a convenient handle to be grasped to move the latch. It is large, being formed as a sort of T head on the body of the latch which extends between lugs 4S; and itis formed so that there is an open space between the head and link 17.

allowing space for the operators fingers to grasp the head. W'hen the links have been opened out as shown in Fig. 4, the casing engaging mechanism 11 can be readily removed from the casing.

In actual practice casing tongs of this character are actuated by a jerk line actuated by the engine. The line is attached to the eye of the lever and the tong is held in suspension in the derrick by means of a line attached to eve bolt 1?. A light line is attached to a clcavit or eye. bolt attached The operators draw the lever backward through an arc of about 90.O after which the jerk line, actuated by the engine. draws it forward, causing the gripping mechanism to take hold u'pon the pipe or casing and turn it about one quarter of a turn. The amount the lever, and therefore the casing. is moved depends upon the stroke of the jerk line and upon the leverage the jerk line has upon the lever. The direction in which the casing is turned depends upon the arrangement of the tongs and the direc tion of pull of the jerk line. The operators then draw the tongs back again and the operation is repeated until the joint is set up tight or is disengaged, as the case may be. If the tongs are accidentally loosened, they frequently disengage and then, the engine running ahead at high speed, the tongs are thrown with great force directly at the operator, resulting frequently in serions accidents. This invention completely averts this danger.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood how the present invention provides a device which is balanced, which is simple and effective, and which is particularly simple and convenient of operation. The links 14 and 15 balance each other and are limited in their movements so that they cannot be moved to posit-ions where they will cause the device to be very' -much out of balance. The links 16 and 17 balance each other when they are closed as shown in Fig. 1 or when they are open as shown in Fig. 4. In the practical operation of the device the links 16 and 17 are either both in as illustrated in Fig. 1, or out as illustrated in Fig. u4 so that the device is at all times in perfect balance. If it occurs, however, that one of the outer links is in Twhile the other is out the device will be but slightly out of balance; as, invview of the fact that the outer links are comparatively small the amount that the device is out of balance under such conditions is comparatively slight and is not enough to make the device difiicult to manipulate. The operation ofthe device is particularly simple and easy, mainly because it can be effected by moving small parts vand in view of the fact that the pivot pins about which practically all of the movement takes place are subject to very little binding action. Furthermore this invention provides a device of great strength, one which grips the pipe or is released fromthe pipe by a very short throw of the lever, thusreducing the lost motion of the lever to aminimum, and furthermore, a device which is firmly attached to the casing and cannot be detached accidentally.v No amount of strain can unlock the latch; neither can the latch unlock because strain is released. 1t is not neccssary as it is in other types of tongs, to -kecp the tongs gripped on the pipe to prevent them releasing from the pipe. This feature in itself is of great advantage, as much loss of time, and many accidents, have been caused by the release of tongs from the pipe when suddenly loosened while under power operation.

Having described a preferred form of myinvention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a lever, and casing engaging means in connection with the lever, said means comprising two oppositely disposed symmetrical Series of pivotallyfconnected pipe engaging links pivotally mounted on the lever, means in connection with a link of each series to limit'its pivotal movement,

and means for detachably connecting the outer links ofd the two series, said links in their connected position being each curved about a common center and each adapted to engage a pipe.

' l2. A device of the character described,

. comprising a lever, and casing engaging means in connection with the lever, said means comprising two oppositely disposed symmetrical series of pivotally comiected pipe engaging links pivotally mounted on the lever, means for limiting the pivotal movements of the inner links of the two series so that said movements are comparatively small, land means for detachably connecting the outer links of the two series, said links in their connected position being each curved about a common center and each adapted to engage a pipe.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a lever, and casing engaging means in connection with the lever, said means comprising two oppositely disposed symmetrical series of pivotally connected pipe engaging links mounted on 'the lever to` have limited pivotal movements, and means for detachably connecting the outer links of the two series, said links in their connected position being each curved about a common center and each adapted to engage a P A device of the character described, comprising a lever, two pairs of pipe encircling links pivoted one link of each pair to the lever and the other link of each pair to the first mentioned one of that pair, the pairs of links being movable oppositely to each other and arranged substantially symmetrically with reference to the lever, and spring latch means to hold the free ends of the link pairs together.

5. A device ofthe character described, comprising a lever, two pairs of pipe encircling links pivoted one link of each pair to the lever and the other link of each pair to the first mentioned one of that pair, the

pairs of links being movable oppositely to nected to 'the lever to swing imthe same plane and in substantially symmetrlcal relation to the longitudinal axis of the lever, and means for detachably connecting the outer links of the two series. y

7. A ipe tongs, comprising a'lever, two

pairs o pipe encircling links pivoted onelink of each pair to the lever and the. other link of each pair to the first mentioned one of that pair, the pairs of links fbeing movable oppositely to each -other and arranged substantially symmetrically with reference to the longitudinal axis of the lever, and means for detachably connecting the outer links of the t-wo pairs. v

8. In a pipe tongs, the combination of an operating handle, inner opposed gripping jaws pivoted to the handle, outer opposed gripping jaws pivotally connected to the in- I means for detachably connecting together the outer jaws of the two series.

10. A pipe tongs, comprising an operating lever, and casing engaging means in connection with the lever, said means comprising two oppositely disposed series of pivotally interconnected casing engaging jaws connected at their inner ends to the lever, the

outer ends of the two series when placed about a casing meeting at a point substantiallj; opposite the lever, and means for detachably connecting together the outer jaws of the two series.

11. In a. pipe tongs, the combination of an operating handle, inner opposed gripping jaws connected to the handle. outer opposed gripping jaws pivot-ally connected .to and carried by the' inner jaws, said outer jaws being movable on their pivot/ed mountings to open and close the tongs whereby the work ma)v be inserted into and remove'd from the tongs, and means for detachably connectingithe outer ends of the outer jaws together and securing all the jaws around the work.

12. In a pipe tongs, the combination of an operating handle, inner opposed gripping jaws connected to the handle, outer opposed gripping jaws pivotally connected to and carried by the inner jaws, said outer jaws being movable on their pivotal mountings to open and close the tongs whereby the work may be inserted into and removed from the tongs, means to limit the opening movements of the inner jaws, and means for detachably connecting the outer ends of the outer jaws together and securing all the jaws around the work.

13. A pipe tongs, comprising an operating handle, two series of pivotally internem nected pipe engaging jaws pivotally connected to the handle, the outer jaws of each series swinging on its pivotal connection with an innerjaw to open and close the tongs, and means to limit the movement of an inner jaw of each series to limit their opening movement, and means for detachably connecting the outer jaws together.

14. A device of the character described, comprising an operating handle, two series o pivotallv interconnected pipe engaging jaws pivotally connected vto the handle, the outery jaws swinging on and with reference to the inner j aws,` and the inner jaws swinging on vand with reference to the handle, and means for operating the jaws and for detachably connecting the outer jaws together, comprising a latch lug on one outer jaw, a lug engaging latch pivoted to the other outer jaw, and swinging to disengage the lug in the same direction relative to its outer Vjaw as that jaw swings with reference to its inner jaw to open the tongs.

In witness that I claim the :foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of August. 1921.

ELIHU CLEMENT WILSON. 

